A Palmerton Borough official has encouraged citizens to wave their flag on Saturday in observance of National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

Councilman William Gallagher made the appeal during Thursday’s borough council meeting.

On March 29, 1973, the last U.S. ground troops departed the Republic of Vietnam.

Gallagher, who served in the Army, said he attended a luncheon earlier Thursday at Penn’s Peak for Carbon County veterans who served during what they called the Vietnam Era.

Gallagher said people who served in the military during that period in time were subject to go to Vietnam, as they did not have a choice.

Gallagher said that they will visit memorials and cemeteries throughout Carbon County on Saturday, at which time they will perform volleys of rifles, taps, etc.

He then asked those present at the meeting who are veterans to stand and be recognized.

At that, several members in attendance rose from their seats and were acknowledged for their service.

“These people stepped up,” Gallagher said. “Thank you all for your service.”

Rudy Balas, commander of the Vietnam Veterans Organization of Carbon County, shared the template for Saturday’s schedule.

“Tomorrow is a special day for us,” Balas said. “We go in two groups throughout Carbon County.”

Balas, a Vietnam veteran, who resides in Lansford, said they will visit 21 spots.

Balas, who is in charge of the north end, said they will cover 12 different stops and will start at St. Joe’s Cemetery in White Bear, with their furthest spot almost in White Haven. They will also do two stops in Schuylkill County, including the VFW in McAdoo, as well as Sky-View Memorial Park Cemetery in Hometown.

Balas said that Floyd “Tinker” Brown is in charge of the south group, which will start at the Lehighton American Legion Post 314 between 8:45 and 9 a.m. and added their furthest point is Trachsville.

From there, he said both groups will meet at the PFC Clyde Houser Complex, where they will do firing.

Afterward, he said they will gather for a luncheon at Sapore’s Restaurant in Lehighton “to extend my gratitude to the men for a fine job for the day.”

The First Vietnam Veterans Day was declared by President Richard Nixon in 1974, coincided with the one-year anniversary of the withdrawal of U.S. combat forces from Vietnam on March 29,1973.

The holiday is officially observed on March 29 and is referred to as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.